4 Here under leave of Brutus, and the rest, And Brutus is an honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept: Was this ambition? Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious; I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, And I must pause till it come back to me. 1 Cit. Methinks there is much reason in his sayings. Cæsar has had great wrong. 3 Cit. Has he, masters? I fear there will a worse come in his place. 4 Cit. Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown; Therefore, 'tis certain he was not ambitious. 1 Cit. If it be found so, some will dear abide it. 2 Cit. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping. 3 Cit. There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony, 4 Cit. Now mark him, he begins again to speak. Ant. But yesterday the word of Cæsar might Have stood against the world: now lies he there, O masters! if I were dispos'd to stir Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, (1) There is now no one poor enough and mean enough to do reverence to Cæsar. Who, you all know, are honourable men: But here's a parchment, with the seal of Cæsar, Let but the commons hear this testament, And, dying, mention it within their wills, Unto their issue. 4 Cit. We'll hear the will: read it, Mark Antony. Cit. The will, the will! we will hear Cæsar's will. Ant. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it: It is not meet you know how Cæsar lov'd you. You are not wood, you are not stones, but men; And, being men, hearing the will of Cæsar, It will inflame you, it will make you mad: 'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs ; For if you should, oh, what would come of it! 4 Cit. Read the will; we'll hear it, Antony; You shall read us the will; Cæsar's will. Ant. Will you be patient? Will you stay a while? I have o'ershot myself to tell you of it. I fear I wrong the honourable men Whose daggers have stabb'd Cæsar: I do fear it. 4 Cit. They were traitors: honourable men! Cit. The will! the testament! 2 Cit. They were villains, murderers. The will! read the will! Ant. You will compel me, then, to read the will? 2 Cit. Descend. 3 Cit. You shall have leave. 4 Cit. A ring; stand round. [He comes down from the pulpit. 1 Cit. Stand from the hearse, stand from the body. Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. The first time ever Cæsar put it on ; Look! in this place ran Cassius' dagger through: For Brutus, as you know, was Cæsar's angel: For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Even at the base of Pompey's statue, Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell. 2 Cit. O noble Cæsar! 3 Cit. O woful day! 4 Cit. O traitors, villains! 1 Cit. O most bloody sight! 2 Cit. We will be revenged: revenge; about,-seek,—burn, fire,-kill,-slay !-let not a traitor live. Ant. Stay, countrymen. 1 Cit. Peace there :-Hear the noble Antony. 2 Cit. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him. Ant. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They that have done this deed are honourable; What private griefs they have, alas! I know not, That made them do it; they are wise and honourable, And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts; (1) One of the most powerful and most warlike nations of Gaul, who were conquered by Cæsar when he was governor. I am no orator, as Brutus is; But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, 1 Cit. We'll burn the house of Brutus! 3 Cit. Away, then; come, seek the conspirators! Cit. Most true; the will:-let's stay, and hear the will. To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.1 2 Cit. Most noble Cæsar! we'll revenge his death. 3 Cit. O royal Cæsar! Ant. Hear me with patience. Cit. Peace, ho! Ant. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, And with the brands fire the traitors' houses. 2 Cit. Go, fetch fire. 3 Cit. Pluck down benches. 4 Cit. Pluck down forms, windows, anything. [Exeunt Citizens, with the body. (1) A drachma was worth about 7d. Ant. Now let it work! Mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt!-How now, fellow? Enter a Servant. Serv. Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome. Serv. He and Lepidus are at Cæsar's house. Serv. I heard him say, Brutus and Cassius SCENE III.-The same. A Street. Enter CINNA, the Poet. Cin. I dreamt to-night that I did feast with Cæsar, And things unluckily charge my fantasy: I have no will to wander forth of doors, Yet something leads me forth. Enter Citizens. 1 Cit. What is your name? 2 Cit. Whither are you going? 3 Cit. Where do you dwell? 4 Cit. Are you a married man or a bachelor? 2 Cit. Answer every man directly. 1 Cit. Ay, and briefly. 4 Cit. Ay, and wisely. 3 Cit. Ay, and truly, you were best. Cin. What is my name? [Exeunt. Whither am I going? Where do I dwell? Am I a married man or a bachelor? Then, to answer every man directly, and briefly, wisely, and truly; wisely I say, I am a bachelor. 2 Cit. That's as much as to say they are fools that marry: you'll bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed; directly. Cin. Directly, I am going to Cæsar's funeral. 1 Cit. As a friend, or an enemy? Cin. As a friend. 2 Cit. That matter is answered directly. 4 Cit. For your dwelling,-briefly. 3 Cit. Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol. 3 Cit. Your name, sir, truly. Cin. Truly, my name is Cinna, |